Is a T5-HO strong enough for a 2ft deep tank?

[sf108]

Hi

Just wondering if a T5-HO 1200mm light is strong enough to light a 4x2x2 tank? I'm thinking of growing HC/Glosso and other type of carpet plants w/ or w/o CO2.

[ILLUSN]

it works in my tanks but you need good reflecters, I'm using 1 hagen glo 2x54w t5 balast with sylvania grow lux tubes and octopus gullwing reflecters, and a 4 foot light master by octopus with refecters (in total 4x54w growlux tubes), my tank is 4x18x2foot deep, with 3 inches of dupla ground i had no problem growing glosso nice and low.

with that kind of light you NEED co2 or you'll just get green water.

[nickw1982]

I'm running one of the 4ft Hagen T5 HO's on my 4x24x18 and the light is superb.... Illusn is dead right though, the amount of light they put out is great with the high polished reflector. I would strongly recommend good fert's or co2 if possible. From what I know Seachem Flourish Excel is a good substitute for co2.

The only annoying thing about the Hagen T5 HO's is that the stupid things do not have an on/off switch so you *need* to run it on a timer, otherwise one of the best T5's around.

[ILLUSN]

onn off switch is the blue light on the ballast.

[nickw1982]

Yeah I know the one you mean - but the one pictured here does not come with an on off switch, its mentioned as one of its biggest negatives in reviews I read before I bought it.

The ballast kit you can buy is awesome value if your prepared to buy good reflectors.

[ILLUSN]

lol what an oversight LOL

[sf108]

Thanks guys.

I was just looking at our sponsor PSA lighting section. They have a AquaThrive T5 with timer + moonlight. Does anyone know the quality of this one?

[ILLUSN]

If it doesn't have individual reflecters it wont have the intensity to punch through 2 feet of water, propper reflecter increase the intensity (hence penetration) by 3x, this is where T5's get the avdantage over MH interms of lumece/w.

A better buy would be the 4x55w CF unit,

http://www.petsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/Lighting/Power-Compact-Light-1200mm--p942.html

its cheeper it has the same outout (220w vs 216w) and Ben from AOA can sell you plant specific tubes for it.

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3588&catID=87


i have a similar unit by aqualina for my 6x2x2 that runs 4x96w and i turn 2 tubes off to avoid algae.

dont know if you'll get a glosso carpet with either of these lights though unless you change your globes VERY (every 3 or so months) often.

a 3 foot 2x96w though if you wanted an aqualina will do the job.

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3570&catID=86

96W of intensity gives a massive punch all the way through the water column plus being only 3 foot wide gives darker edges for shyer fish to retreat from the intense light.